HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5613-09-2022 A Resolution
NO. 5613-09-2022
SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM
TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE FORT WORTH'S DIVERSE HISTORY AND CULTURE
WHEREAS world-class museums contribute significantly to the City of Fort Worth's community
identity and economic vitality; and
WHEREAS nearly two decades ago, Fort Worth icon and national treasure Opal Lee founded a
local Juneteenth Museum to commemorate the significance of that date and event and to further her effort
to make Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday in order to promote and memorialize its importance as
a milestone on the path toward human freedom; and
WHEREAS the fierce determination and vision of Opal Lee, known as the "Grandmother of
Juneteenth", has made Juneteenth a federal holiday while bringing widespread recognition to the City of
Fort Worth;
WHEREAS as Ms. Lee's efforts gained national attention and following the recognition of
Juneteenth as a national holiday in 2021,interest grew in taking her initial local museum and transforming
it into a National Juneteenth Museum to provide expanded opportunities for awareness, education, and
understanding; and
WHEREAS in addition to increasing tourism and educational opportunities, museums and
facilities addressing challenging parts of the City's and nation's past benefit the public by offering
opportunities to promote and enhance understanding and further community healing; and
WHEREAS the City seeks to leverage its existing cultural resources by supporting the
development and expansion of high-quality museums that preserve and promote Fort Worth's diverse
history and culture; and
WHEREAS a National Juneteenth Museum is planned to break ground in Fort Worth in 2023;
and
WHEREAS the City has sufficient debt capacity to reserve funds to support development and
construction of the Juneteenth National Museum in Fort Worth.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH,TEXAS THAT:
1. The City Council supports the development of a National Juneteenth Museum by pledging to fund
up to one-third of the capital costs associated with the project, subject to the following conditions:
a. The total City contribution to the project shall not exceed $15 million.
b. The City Manager shall review and accept a feasibility study and/or a business plan
demonstrating that the museum's ongoing operation is economically and financially
feasible without City subsidy.
c. The City shall not contribute its share of capital costs unless and until the organization first
provides evidence of having raised the balance of the project's costs, with the City's
funding being intended to be provided as "last dollars in."
d. Appropriation of funds shall require
i. City Council approval of an appropriation ordinance
ii. A finding of the specific public purpose or purposes the Museum project serves.
2. The City Council finds that the creation of the National Juneteenth Museum in accordance with
the terms of this resolution benefits the public by providing and expanding educational
opportunities, enhancing the City's national and international appeal as a cultural destination, and
offering opportunities to bring the entire community together to foster better understanding and
relationships.
3. The City Council requests that the City Manager reserve a portion of the City's debt capacity to
support issuance of debt in an amount not to exceed $15 million for the support of the National
Juneteenth Museum, subject to the organization's meeting the conditions laid out above.
Adopted this 13th day of September 2022.
ATTEST: �� F()O
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By: Jannette S.Goodall(Sep 15,202214:52 CDT) .53
Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary '
1.3.